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Nature Quest is a treasure hunt! Use clues to find hidden treasure boxes

At the end of each quest there is a hidden box that contains a special stamp, an ink pad, and a logbook. Use the stamp to mark your passport, then sign or stamp the logbook.

9 quests at Columbia Land Conservancy’s

Public Conservation Areas

Amazing wildlife habitats

Fascinating historical& natural features

Follow the clues, find the hidden treasures, and win a prize!

COLUMBIA LAND CONSERVANCY’S

NATURE QUEST

NATURE QUEST

Columbia Land ConservancyPO Box 29949 Main St

Chatham, NY 12037518.392.5252

clctrust.org/naturequest

2nd Editioncopyright: Columbia Land Conservancy, 2011, 2012

ContentsWhat is Nature Quest? ������������������������������������������������� 2

Prize Rules������������������������������������������������������������� 2

Tips for your Nature Quests ��������������������������������������������� 3

Regulations for CLC Public Conservation Areas ���������������������������� 4

About the Columbia Land Conservancy ����������������������������������� 5

Borden’s Pond Conservation Area ���������������������������������������� 6

Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area �������������������������������� 9

Greenport Conservation Area �������������������������������������������12

Hand Hollow Conservation Area ����������������������������������������� 15

High Falls Conservation Area �������������������������������������������� 18

Ooms Conservation Area at Sutherland Pond ����������������������������� 21

Round Ball Mountain Conservation Area ��������������������������������� 24

Schor Conservation Area ���������������������������������������������� 27

Siegel�Kline Kill Conservation Area �������������������������������������� 30

Acknowledgements ���������������������������������������������������� 33

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IntroductionWhat is Nature Quest? Nature Quest is a treasure hunt! You use clues in this passport to find treasure boxes hidden at nine of the Columbia Land Conservancy’s Public Conservation Areas. The clues will lead you through amazing wildlife habitats and across interesting historical and natural features. At the end of each quest, there is a waterproof box that contains a special stamp, an ink pad, and a logbook. Use the stamp to mark your passport, then sign or stamp the logbook. Close the box and return it to the exact same place where you found it. This passport contains clues for all nine Nature Quests. Quests can also be downloaded at clctrust.org/naturequest.

Prize RulesComplete all nine quests for a prize. Bring your stamped passport to the Columbia Land Conservancy office at 49 Main St. in Chatham to get your final stamp and to claim your prize! Call 518.392.5252 for hours.

Tips for your Nature Quests!◊ Allow one and a half hours for the Round Ball Mountain quest and one hour

for the other quests.◊ Always tightly reclose the box and hide it in the exact place where you

found it.◊ Several of the quests have steep inclines and some trails will be muddy

after hard rains. Please be careful. ◊ Sign in at the entrance to the Public Conservatoin Area & pick up a trail

map. ◊ Carry an extra ink pad & pen with you. ◊ Bring your own special stamp from home so you can stamp our logbook.◊ Never litter and always respect the site and the environment.◊ The treasure box will be hidden close to the trail, but out of view from the

casual observer. . . so look closely! ◊ When you find the treasure box, stamp your passport. Then sign the logbook

or stamp it with your own stamp from home. ◊ Do not dig, remove native vegetation, disturb natural rock formations, or

interfere with animals or their habitats. ◊ Remember. . . safety first! Watch out for poison ivy, ticks, stinging insects,

and bad weather. Snakes and spiders sometimes like the places were the boxes are hidden.

◊ Always check for ticks when finished hiking for the day.◊ Bring a snack & some water. You may get hungry or thirsty! ◊ And, lastly, have fun!

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Regulations for CLC Public Conservation Areas

◊ Columbia Land Conservancy (CLC) properties are open year-round, dawn to dusk.

◊ Admission is free.◊ All properties have parking areas.◊ Pets must be on leash at all times,

except when swimming.◊ “Carry in, carry out.” In an effort to

minimize human impact on the conservation areas, no trash receptacles are located at the sites. Take your trash with you when you leave.

◊ Dog owners must remove dog waste from the site. Leaving dog waste on the site is harmful to wildlife and creates a major annoyance to site visitors and CLC maintenance staff. There are no trash receptacles located on the site.

◊ People are not allowed to swim. ◊ Camping and fires are prohibited.◊ Motorized vehicles are not allowed unless they are part of an official CLC

program.◊ Fishing is permitted with NYS License.◊ Limited hunting is allowed on some of the CLC properties as part of the

overall management plans.◊ Audio equipment or radio use is allowed with earphones only.◊ Please respect the plants, animals, and artifacts at the sites as they make

the properties special.

Columbia Land ConservancyThe Columbia Land Conservancy works with the community to conserve the farmland, forests, wildlife habitat, and rural character of Columbia County, strengthening connections between people and the land.

Organizational Highlights:

◊ Protected over 22,000 acres of farms, forests, and rural landscapes with permanent conservation easements, 25% of all privately conserved land in the Hudson Valley, 60% in the Capital Region.

◊ Established over 5,000 acres of public lands and manages 10 Public Conservation Areas.

◊ Helped secure over $5 million dollars to ensure the protection of 4,830 acres of working farmland.

◊ Created an agricultural program that promotes working farms and provides logistical support, including matching farmers with landowners.

◊ Assist with open space and trail development, conservation planning and agricultural issues throughout the County, including workshops and conferences, coordinating funding initiatives, and fostering partnerships among towns, county government, and allied conservation organizations.

◊ Developed an environmental educational program that serves thousands every year.

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Borden’s Pond Conservation Area1628 Route 203, Ghent1 mile East of Rt 66From the center of Chatham: follow Route 203 East. Follow signs for the Taconic State Parkway. Just past the Payn Home on your right, look for the Borden’s Conservation Area sign on your left. Follow gravel driveway into parking area.

Near the parking lot notice a stonewall inscribed with many a nameA kind of “People who Protected this Land” hall of fameThe preserve was founded by locals Tom Hope and Lael LockeThey rallied citizens to raise the funds for the site around the clock

Stop at the kiosk and take a little time to peruseCLC news, events, and programs from which to chooseOff to your left is where you get underwayThe green trail is the track on which to stay

On the left is the larch, a tree that bears a coneAn evergreen whose needles land in the drop zoneThe fact that the evergreen larch loses its leaves is not a tall taleLike a deciduous tree every autumn its leaves fall without fail

The field through the trees used to host town baseball gamesAnd remnants of the Browning Farm stonewalls still remain“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”The land is linked to the poet who turned this famous phrase

Along the trail are spruce, hemlock, and red pineLook for their cones as you head up the inclineGo to the bench overlooking what was once Borden’s PondA body of water of which Chatham residents were most fond

Swimming, fishing, and ice harvesting are part of the storyThe ice taken to Borden’s milk plant in Ghent on a lorryA habitat for herons, fish, turtles, and Canada gooseOne winter day in 2006, the old concrete dam did break loose

Now a marsh with wildflowers and native vegetationStill habitat for a variety of birds is a great consolationMove down the hill and back onto the routeWhere deer, squirrel, and turkey have their

daily commute

The Borden’s site symbol is a rather coy looking red fox

Luxurious fur, white tipped tail and black socks

An upland forest is a good place for them to call home

A solitary, direct register trotting track as they roam

Follow the trail along the perennial stream on its courseIn the spring it runs high and flows with some forceCross several bog bridges to keep your feet dryThe water here drains from seeps on hill and ridge high

Think back to a time when forests were cleared and pastures aboundedLook for a “wolf” tree - older and much larger then those around itOften left in a field to provide shade and shelter for grazing cowsToday they produce mast for wildlife from their

numerous boughs

The oaks produce wild turkeys favorite food – the acorn

You may see them scratching at the earth in the early morn

Absent from Columbia County for over a hundred yearsVictims of habitat loss and unregulated hunting by pioneers

Mast is the dry fruit from woody plants that animals eat for food. Ex-

amples include nuts from oak, beech, hickory, and hazel trees

as well as seeds from all evergreen trees.

Before modern refrigera-

tion, ice was harvested from the Hudson to keep

food cool in ice boxes. Ice was cut, hauled out by horse or hand, and stored

in sawdust.

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Reintroduced in the 1950’s, turkey population has seen a rebound Clucks and purrs, but the ‘gobble” is their most familiar soundLook to the right for a trail marked with blueThe treasure will be found at the end of this cut-through

It’s hard to believe you are so near the village and surrounded by housesSharing space with woodpeckers, deer, and ruff-necked grousesAn excellent place to soak up nature and clear your headA breath of fresh air, open space, and good earth on which you tread

End your quest at the blue and red trail connectionSearch for the prize under a log in the due north directionHope you don’t need to hunt too much after all your workBe sure to hide it well when done, please don’t shirk

Thanks for exploring the place of Borden’s PondCLC has more sites to discover to which you can form a bond

Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area653 Route 3, AncramFrom Route 22 North: Follow Route 22 south through Hillsdale and Copake. Turn right onto Route 3, and follow it as it bends to the left. Proceed past Wiltsie Bridge Road, Blodget Road, and pass over the Punch Brook. The entrance to the conservation area is just past the Punch Brook on the left. Look for the Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area sign.

From Route 82: Take Route 82 heading east into Ancram. Proceed past the intersection of Routes 7 and 82, and take the next left onto Wiltsie Bridge Road. Follow Wiltsie Bridge Road until it meets with Route 3, and take a right onto Route 3. Follow Route 3 past Blodgett Road and over the Punch Brook. The entrance to the conservation area is just past the Punch Brook, on the left. Look for the Drowned Lands Swamp Conservation Area sign.

This quest begins at a place named Drowned Lands

A very cool name and a view that commandsHow can a swamp have a view? You might askIt will become clear when on Old Croken you

bask

This site might seem inconsequential and smallBut with rare plants, unique insects – it has it

allStop for a minute at the kiosk made of woodSign your name on the sheet as you know you should

Look to the left or east to take the Swamp TrailInto a freshwater wetland complex hearty and haleThis trail runs right along the wetlands edgeSoon you’ll spy cattail, reed, and sedge

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Punch Brook meanders through this great fenHome to kingbird, heron, and wrenRunning north into the Roeliff-Jansen KillSongbirds, sparrows, and warblers that trill

Follow this trail ‘til it comes to the endHere, we hope, a few minutes you’ll spendDon’t be upset because of this small misleadThe whole site we want you to see, we concede

When you are ready, turn back aroundTo the hidden treasure you are now boundSee maidenhair, royal, and marsh fernWild geranium and ginger until the second left turn

Up the cut-through trail, quite grassy and steepOnto the track some brush with thorns might creepThis short and quick cut-through ends at a “tee” Turn to the left and at the crown you soon will be

Old Croken is where you’ll find plants most uniqueAs you continue your ascent to the limestone peakRare upland boneset, bush-clover, and maidenhair spleenwortsIt’s also where the extraordinary harvester butterfly cavorts

The only place the harvester has been found in the CountyIts carnivorous caterpillar eats a woolly alder aphid bountyHarvesters, aphids, ants, alders, and maples all connectedEcological interplay and interdependence perfected

At the top is a bench where you may want to take a restAnd marvel at the view before you end your questA great swamp, protected farms, and hills set before youTake a deep breath, relax, and feel a sense of renew

To not tell of this site’s history would be a serious omissionOf “speakeasies” and “stills” operating during prohibitionThat’s the reason there’s still a flagpole standing at the topUp goes the flag if the brew is ready or to look out for a cop

The Rothvoss family used this as hunting and fishing preserveNow a recreation area forever the public it will serveIn the 1920’s it was owned by a family named WhiteBut today look for the treasure hidden in the woods to the right

Hope you enjoyed your visit to Drowned Lands SwampVisit more CLC sites for another fun woods romp

Only 1% of all cater-pillars are carnivorous.

Maidenhair Fern

A fen is a natu-ral low land that is

covered completely or partly with water.

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Greenport Conservation Area54 Daisy Hill Rd, GreenportFrom the North: Take Route 9 to Greenport, NY. Veer right onto Joslen Blvd., and follow straight for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Daisy Hill Road at the sign for the Conservation Area. Continue on Daisy Hill Road until it ends. You will see a parking area and informa�tion kiosk.

From the South: Take Route 9 to Greenport, NY. Pass Healy Blvd. Turn left at the second light onto Joslen Blvd., and proceed for 0.9 miles. Turn left onto Daisy Hill Road at the sign for the Conservation Area. Continue on Daisy Hill Road until it ends. You will see a parking area and information kiosk.

Start on the main trail on a westward headingOn a firm and gravel path you are soon treading“Access for All” allows for a person in a wheelchairTo see views of the Catskills and smell the clean fresh air

To the right is a chestnut oak of rather large dimensionBeing on the Big Tree Register does deserve a mentionIts considerable trunk is 168 inches in circumferenceA tree 75 feet high with a crown quite thick and dense

It’s a favorite perch of the friendly red-tail hawkWho follows the trail crew as they work or you on your walkContinue to travel along the trail where cattle once did grazeThrough a flowering grassland habitat in the summer dog days

Bobolinks, meadowlarks and Eastern bluebirds may be viewedHudson school children built the houses for bluebirds to raise a broodThey learned about New York State animals, including the bluebirdAbout protecting the land, caring for the animals and being a steward

Maintain your course to the left as the trail comes to a large forkHeading towards the river symbolized on the flag of New YorkA huge amount of history on this site, there’s so much to relayBelow you’ll find a synopsis or if you will – a quick replay

Glacial Lake Albany deposited silt and clay as soil for its part

Henry Hudson and crew sailed the river – no maps or a chart

For many, many years the Mahican people walked on this land

Hunted the woodlands and from the bluffs the river they scanned

About 1661 the Dutch bought the land for a colonial settlementA Lutheran minister lived here and crossed the river to give testamentWheat, hay, and cattle in the fields guarded by a “wolf” (a large old tree)Silos, foundations, and the sign at the entrance speak of a farm for poultry

In the 1980’s a series of high-density residential subdivisions were slatedNow a natural area for you to enjoy and land protected forever it is fatedPurchased by the Open Space Institute, CLC manages it at their behest Whew! Now we’re done with all that history, let’s get back to the quest

At the next trail junction, follow the sign to the picnic area to the rightThe left takes you to the gazebo and the view is an amazing sightYou may want to take the time to visit there if you have the chanceTo see the Hudson River below and the Catskill Mountain expanse

Eastern red cedars dot the fields, neatly trimmed by the deerFavorite food choice for deer, mice, and songbirds it is clearAhead you will see an ash tree standing there all aloneIts wood used for baseball bats and oars when full grown

Bear to the right as the trail turns to the northeastEye on the sky as bald eagles search for a fishy feastEnjoy the woods as you stay on the trail of pressed rockThe trail is enjoyed by people and dogs on their daily walk

On one of Henry Hudson’s

quests to find the North-west Passage, his crew muti-nied. The crew cast Hudson and his teenage son adrift,

and they were never seen again!

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Ignore all the other trails that head off to the rightKeep heading for the picnic area, keep the blue in sightStop at the “vee” in the trail, notice a tree on your leftStanding all alone and looking slightly bereft

An Eastern bluebird nesting box is behind the treeOff trail you should always look for poison ivyTake a peek inside is what we do adviseFor that is where we have hidden the prize

Hope you enjoyed your visit to the area of GreenportThere are more quests to try, both long and short

Hand Hollow Conservation Area4079 Route 9 Entrance, New Lebanon Just north of the intersection of County Route 34, parking is next to a beige farmhouse with a large pond.

At the gate is where you begin your questReading the landscape and looking for signs is the testPlease stay on the trail and take a little carePoison ivy is itchy and pink lady’s slipper quite rare

You may have noticed as your car came to restAn old farm house not looking its bestFor over a hundred years this land was a farmStone walls, lilacs, and apple trees still tell of the charm

The farm began with a family named ShermanBuilding barns and the house with much determineNeighbors purchased veggies and milk on their wordFrom the Oldenburg’s fields and small dairy herd

Not far into the meadow, make the first discoveryTo the north is a great blue heron rookeryIn the spring quiet is always a requestEggs or babies could be in the large twig nest

Continue and bear to the right on the grassy trailYou are about to explore the beavers taleOur friend Joyce was a great proponentOf these creatures – North America’s largest rodent

Immature bald eagles have dark

feathers until they are 5 years old, then they grow the

white head feathers that make them so easy to

identify.

A rookery is a breeding

or nesting place of any social bird or

animal

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They alter the environment more than any non-human creatureAt dawn and dusk they are seen – the main featureThey construct their lodges of sticks and mudThe dams they build help with erosion and flood

Stop at the bench and look at the watery viewBeavers created this series of ponds before youOtters, turtles, and many birds all use this habitatWhat other critters can you name off the top of your hat?

With beavers in mind please don’t be bemusedIf the trail suddenly changes and clues are confusedFollow the green trail no matter where it goesThe trail crew may have moved it to give you dry toes

You might skirt the ponds or head straight throughBut eventually the green trail leads back to this clue:

Now it’s time to head off into the woodsWhere jack-in-the-pulpit wait in their “hoods”It must be May if wildflowers bloom by the trailBloodroot, wood anemone, and trout lily without fail

A few hundred yards, look to the left up the hillFor the river otter in winter it fits the billSliding down across the trail and into the creekPlayfully gliding on his belly during winter bleak

Do you see the bridge that crosses the stream?Built by the trail crew of cedar planks and beamAcross the bridge, there’s a large trail intersectionThe treasure is close, but which direction?

Turn to the west and follow the green blazeLook for Chris’s bench and on a peaceful scene gazeListen to the stream as the water flows byWhat else can you hear if you close your eyes?

Back on the trail look for a break to the left in the brushAcross this stream stagecoaches used to rushLook closely and see what’s left of the roadRuts, rocks, slope, and dirt show the erode

Up the trail it’s time for you to begin the ascentWhere school children usually start their tired lamentAutumn is the best time to walk along the stonewallWith the crisp air and watching the leaves as they fall

The treasure is hidden where the trail cuts the wallLook high and low as it might be quite smallBe careful of creatures that might be living in the rockWe don’t want you or them to get a shock

Hope you learned a lot about Hand HollowCheck our other sites, there are more quests to follow

Great Blue Herons can have

a wingspan over 6 feet wide.

Jack-In-The-Pulpit

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High Falls Conservation Area540 Roxbury Rd, Philmont/ClaverackLocated primarily in the Village of Philmont, with access on Roxbury Road in the Town of ClaverackFrom Route 217 (Main Street) in Philmont, turn south on Roxbury Road, and cross over the Agawamuck Creek. The entrance to the parking lot and trail head is 100 yards up on the left.

At the arbor made of cedar wood is where you startOn your quest to see what lies at Philmont’s heartLifelong residents tell of stories, childhood memories, and loreBoth cultural and natural history on this hike you will explore

Down the path and on the green trail is the planStonework steps lead you to cross the wide spanThis perennial stream flows down from Moore PondTo the Agawamuck Creek, the Hudson River, and beyond

Welcome to an Eastern hemlock covered “cool ravine”Uncommon plants make up this unique habitat sceneYou might find walking fern or purple cliffbrakeBloodroot, red trillium, and trout lily in spring’s

wake

Red trillium’s flower is beautiful and catches the eyeBut it smells like dead meat to attract the carrion flyDark blood red color and putrid odor its adaptation“Stinking benjamin” lures the flies in for pollination

If you see these plants look close, take a sniff, and inspectHowever, on this site and our others please don’t ever collectOn your left will be the blue trail to the Agawamuck CreekRemain on the green trail to find that which you ardently seek

This land was once hardscrabble farmed and used as woodlotsRocks break through the shallow and acidic soil in spotsSigns remain of stone walls and fences of barbed wireFarther up the trail is a wooden bench to rest if you tire

Walk through woodlands of sugar maples and oaks of redThick tree branches form a leafy canopy above your headA fine hunting ground for hawks or a barred owlPerhaps a coyote or red fox on a quiet night’s prowl

An understory of witch-hazel, striped maple, and black birchYou can see them all close to the bench on which you perchBlack birch is used in birch beer and smells of wintergreenAnd striped maple is by far the moose’s favorite cuisine

Witch-hazel is discussed in the Round Ball Mountain questYellow leaves in the fall - do that quest to find out the restTime to keep moving, gather your things, and head up the hillThat’s were you’ll see the power that supplied seventeen mills

Come to the place where the red and green trails meetGreen trail takes you to the waterfall where you’ll see a real treatNow is the time to go see the falls – go ahead and take in the viewBut return to this exact spot to find the treasure when you are through

From Philmont Reservoir and Summit Lake the water drops down loudlyThe tallest waterfall in Columbia County we can report quite proudlyOne hundred fifty feet from the dam at the top to the plunge pool at the bottomThe water rushes and gushes over the rocks in a magnificent column

In 1847, High Rock Mill was constructed for making fine woolen goodsFollowed by a feed mill and paper mills using lumber from nearby woodsAfter a century of industry by waterpower the mills all began to closeBut over High Falls and into the Agawamuck Creek the water still flows

“Cool Ravines” have conifers and steep rocky walls that flank a

rocky intermittent stream. This unusually shady, cool and moist

microclimate often supports plants found in more

northern regions.

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“Creek of many fish” is what the word Agawamuck meansWith trout, perch, and bass the water in the creek teemsA conservation area of little acreage – just a small forty-sevenWithin the busy village nestles this amazing piece of heaven

Head back to where the green trail meets the redDown the red trail is the correct way to headFrom the footbridge measure 68 (or so) steps or pacesTo find the treasure in the most unusual of places

On the left notice a stump all hollowed out insideNestled there is where the treasure box likes to hideBefore putting your hand in, it should best be not forgotten:Other creatures can be in hidden in stumps that are rotten!

Hope you enjoyed your visit to High Falls, such a special placeWe have nine other sites with more protected open space

Ooms Conservation Area at Sutherland Pond480 Rock City Rd, ChathamFrom the Taconic State Parkway: Take the exit marked for Route 295, East Chatham/Chatham. From the north, turn right off the exit ramp onto Hartigan Road. From the south, turn left onto Route 295 heading toward Chatham, proceed under the Taconic State Parkway, and then turn right onto Hartigan Road (keep left to avoid the parkway). Follow Hartigan Road for one mile until you come to a “Y” intersection. Proceed left for 0.2 miles; the parking area will be on the left.

From downton Chatham: follow Route 295 east for approximately 2.5 miles. You will pass Kling Magnetics on the left and the transfer station on the right. Turn left at Hartigan Road, as if you were entering the Taconic State Parkway southbound, then stay straight, past the Taconic entry ramp. Follow Hartigan Road for one mile until you come to a “Y” intersection. Go left for 0.2 mile and the parking area will be on the left.

Start at the kiosk, open the wood box and sign right inUnder a majestic Eastern white pine is where you beginIn colonial times they were masts on ships, straight and tallKing George declared all these trees his to the colonists gall

Loss of money from pine products colonists could not ignoreLike taxed tea it was a trigger of the Revolutionary WarA white pine was on the first flag that went up Bunker HillA chosen symbol of independence, prosperity, and free will

Head down the hill and stop on the edge of Sutherland PondOf this 35 acre body of water local fishermen are quite fondThe pond is known for bullhead, bluegills, and bassWhile Eastern meadowlarks and bobolinks sing in the grass

White pine

Rock Mill reached its peak in 1913, when

it employed 870 people, a larger number than any

other employer in Co-lumbia County.

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Sutherland Pond is a nice spot to relax and float in your canoeOr head to the gazebo for pond and Catskill mountain viewsHead to the west along the pond’s curvy shoreOverhead hawks, herons, and osprey soar

Soon you will see the edge of the wooden boardwalk“Come hide in the herd and float with the flock”The boardwalk keeps your feet dry as you cross the swampIt’s a place where rabbits and muskrats often romp

On the right is a lone hickory tree called a ShagbarkInto the upland meadows and old fields you are about to embarkTravel through the fields as we tell you the story of this placeKeep the beautiful pond on your left as you keep the pace

Meadows of goldenrod, Queen Anne’s lace, and milkweed bloomCut into hay and baled for our local bovines to consumeHayed on a schedule that gives the grassland birds a better chance To raise their fledglings and launch them into this wild expanse

Notice Eastern bluebird nesting boxes hanging on postsBuilt by volunteers, crew, and schoolchildren so we can play hostTo this symbol of love, happiness, and the first blush of springPause at the bench, listen closely for the sweet song they sing

After you’ve had your fill of this scene most bucolicHead up the trail towards the woods where deer tend to frolicAt the top of the hill spot the silos that mark the Ooms family farmBeyond the farm towards the east are the Taconics in all their charm

You can stop at the gazebo if you feel you need another restOr stay on the trail into the woods to continue your questFollow the trail down the hill to the left you should bearThe trees provide a nice shelter from wind and sun glare

On the left is a tree that a porcupine has used as a mealThe inner bark during the winter has much appeal

Their chisel-like teeth make quick work of the outer barkIn spring and summer buds, flowers, twigs, and leaves hit the mark

Can you see that some of the trees are missing their tops?The ice storm in 2008 brought them down with loud snaps and popsBranches and trees blocked the trail all helter skelterThey were cleared and stacked off trail to provide animals shelter

Toads, salamanders, insects, and spiders like to live in the brushPlus birds such as grouse, mockingbird, sparrow, and thrushBack to the meadows is where this trail eventually goesBut in these woods is where your search will come to a close

As you round the corner see arching and bent over paper birchThe white pines on your right is where you should searchThe quest started and is ending with Eastern white pine treeHidden at the base of one of the trees your prize will be

Here ends your Ooms Conservation Area quest and testVisit all our other sites and decide which you like the best

Queen Anne’s lace, or

“wild carrot,” was introduced from Europe,

and the carrots that we eat today were cultivated

from this plant.

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Round Ball Mountain Conservation Area503 Carson Rd, AncramFrom Route 22 in Ancram at the Columbia/Dutchess County border, turn onto Carson Road. The entrance sign will be on the right approximately 1/2 mile up from Route 22. Park in the designated lot before reaching the residence.

Start at the kiosk to hear this mountain’s voiceThe new yellow trail should be your first choiceThis quest is long – there’s so much to sayPlease be prepared before you get underway

The slope to your left has lots of boulders, rocky and steepA good place for raven, bobcat, and small-footed bat to sleepAnimals of “Special Concern” might nest, den, or find an abodeIncluding warblers, marbled salamander, and fowler’s toad

The trees do beckon as the old driveway endsVolunteers built this trail with its curves and bendsMike, Matt, Sheila, and more did a fine job you can tellAs this path wraps you in a magical woodland spell

We paid them with oatmeal cookies and much thanksAs they removed roots and dug cuts in the banksYou’ll soon see a fence surrounding a hole in the groundIn the spring this is where the native columbine can be found

Around the hole and trail are rocky outcroppings of schistRich in iron and processed for ore – mining was the gistSchist, quartz, and shale are part of the Walloomsac FormationSimilar rocks were used in iron foundries to help build our nation

Down the trail, turn left onto green and an old roadWhere in 1912 lumberjacks and timbermen strodeThe mountain was cleared with a crashing of treesTimber sent down the hill in a long chute with ease

Before that time there were chestnut trees six feet aroundAnd bushel baskets of harvested nuts did aboundNotice the other trees still here and stop for an appraisalOf white oak, pignut hickory, black birch, and witch-hazel

Witch-hazel has a delicate yellow late-autumn bloomIt can shoot its seeds out of the pod clear across a roomA medicinal astringent is made from its leaves and barkTo treat blemishes, insect bites, and bruises that mark

Take the blue trail to the stream with no nameTales of nine and ten inch trout are its claim to fameHome to two salamanders: dusky and two-linedThe dusky salamander is regionally somewhat a rare find

This upland forest and its streams are a special domainInto a wetland that forms the Webatuck Creek they drainThis wetland is where the endangered bog turtles resideA wildlife corridor for bobcat and black bear the woods provide

To the green trail the blue eventually does circle on backTurn to the right on the green and you’ll be on trackLarge holes in the trees where Pileated Woodpeckers dineA beautiful image Roberta Wilson created for the sites sign

At the top of the slope notice white birch rather largeAs farm fields were abandoned they took chargeThis perimeter trail was once the edge of a fieldCultivation of corn, buckwheat, and rye the yield

At the red trail junction, it’s a left you should makeTo the top of the mountain and a rest soon to take

The Bobcat’s short or “bobbed” tail is

what gives it its name. They are twice the size of their cousin, the house-

cat.

Pileated Woodpecker

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The plateau is where Tator Farm did once standWhen pastures and woolly sheep dotted the land

1312 feet high and cleared it would have a distinctive shapeStanding out most strong from the nearby landscapePerhaps that’s how it got the name “Round Ball”The origin of the name locals simply could not recall

Stop at the bench for Evelyn Kitchen and you’ll be at the peakThrough the trees, a view of the Taconic ridge you can sneakPlease take a few moments to sit down, relax, and unwindClose your eyes, breathe deep, and clear your mind

Dogwoods were planted to honor Evelyn and the land the family gaveConsideration and thanks for these 100 acres they thought to save Not too far from the bench do you have to roveBehind a tree with two stumps is the treasure trove

Hope you were able to hear the voice of Round BallVisit more CLC sites - there are ten in all

Schor Conservation Area 58 Shoreview Dr, Red Rock � accessed from Cemetery Road in Red Rock Traveling east from Chatham on Rte. 203: take a left onto County Rte. 9, following signs for Red Rock. After 2.5 miles, bear right onto Rte. 24, following for 1.8 miles. Take a left onto Cemetery Road and follow for one mile to Shoreview Drive on the right. Follow the entrance road for .5 miles to the parking area and trail entrance.

Traveling West from Spencertown/Austerlitz: take a right onto County Rte. 9. Bear right onto Rte. 24, following for 1.8 miles. Take a left onto Cemetery Road and follow for one mile to Shoreview Drive on the right. Follow the entrance road for .5 miles to the parking area and trail entrance.

Schor is another quest where you start at the gateDown the trail you head, nice and straightTurn left at the blaze showing greenOn to a scene that is usually quite serene

Often the fog is lifting off of the pondAnd the forest stretches up the hill and beyondStop and contemplate just for a secondBefore you enter the trees as they beckon

This is Jon’s Pond, with a special story of how it came to beA man named Jon Schor had a vision, you see,Of conserving the land that he loved with all his heartHe made it a place everyone could enjoy and take part

People, plants, and creatures all togetherWhether hair, scales, fur, or featherA quiet, beautiful forest that brings great joyIt is protected forever, never shall we destroy

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Stay on the green trail and pick east as your directionTime to head into the woods and make a connectionAcross the bridge and you’re onto the shaleIt’s important at this junction that you bear right on the trail

The path heads through the oaks so you can climb upBeneath your feet are leaves and many an acorn cupA tasty snack for squirrel, wild turkey, and deerChatter, gobble, or snort in the distance you may hear

Land crisscrossed with old logging roads, tracks, and trace

Stay true to the green as you mark a steady paceSee beds of white-tail deer as you carry on up the hillListen for the sound of the pileated woodpeckers bill

Soon you will be standing where green and red meetTake the red, go right, and always follow your feetYour boots will stay dry as you cross another bridgeTake a deep breath – you’re climbing up to the ridge

Through a cool hemlock forest you will meanderOn the right, two large uprooted trees - take a ganderThey came down in the ice storm of 2008The victims of wet ground, shallow roots, and ice weight

Although a rotting log might not look like much on the surfaceThey have a role in nature and serve a great purposeA decomposing log is good habitat for animal and plantHome to mouse, fungus, moss, bacteria, beetle, and ant

Soon the trail becomes quite steep and toughDon’t be embarrassed – we all huff and puff!Watch for the red blaze as you come up the inclineBear to the right – don’t take the straight line

Please be careful as you come up to the riseIf you fall down the cliff you can’t claim the prizeThe rocks are inviting and call you to sitRelax with the mountains, just for a bit

The mountains to the left are the gentle CatskillsIn the foreground are barns, cattle, and hillsThen in the distance the Heldeberg Escarpment and Albany cityEven on a crystal clear day the Plaza looks pretty bitty

Some people say the real treasure is the viewBut don’t worry – we wouldn’t do that to youLook for the large tree of white pineThere at the base the treasure box you shall find

Hope you enjoyed this quick quest at SchorCheck our other sites, there is more to explore

The bark of Eastern hemlock is rich in tan-

nin and is used to soften animal skin to make

leather.

Oak Leaf and Acorn

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Siegel-Kline Kill Conservation Area1452 County Route 21 (Garage Place), GhentApproximately 1/2 mile west of Ghent Town Hall.

Begin your quest at the green trail heading to the northWalk through a working farm field as you set forthToday the site is used to harvest cuttings of hayIt produced corn and was a dairy back in the day

John Aiken owned this field known as the “40 acre lot”A farmhouse to the west and a barn close to this spotWhat once was prime pasture for many a cowherdNow is wonderful habitat for species of grassland bird

You’ll soon notice the trail splits in a short waysStay to the right and keep on the green blazeThe trail starts to get a little brushy and shrubby on the sideThe upland meadow from the floodplain forest it does divide

Bypass two trail spurs on the right marked with blueJoe-pye weed and goldenrod the path goes right throughThis is a good place to look for signs of cottontail rabbitClean bit stems and tracks point to where they inhabit

Take the third blue trail towards the stream called the Kline KillWhere over the years many fishermen have tried their skillThe symbol for the Siegel-Kline Kill area is the brown troutThe trees by the water please take a moment to check out

Many Eastern cottonwoods line the Kline Kill’s shoreRed maple, white oak, and some mighty sycamoreThey like their feet kind of wet and don’t mind a little floodRiver otters like this place too and slide on the banks of mud

Our friend Lauren likes to watch the water when she visitsShe won’t sit, just stand, and let the stream raise her spiritsSomething about the way the water rushes and movesWorries wash away and your mood suddenly improves

Time to turn back around to search for that which you seekIn the spring, look by the trail for skunk cabbage and wild leekAt the junction, take a right hand turn on the green trailHere large colonies of goldenrod plants do prevail

Don’t blame beautiful goldenrod when you sneezeIt’s ragweed that causes allergies and makes

you wheezeLook on the goldenrod plant stem for a round gallA tiny fly spends the winter “sleeping” within that ball

Towhees, sparrows, and warblers can be seen in this zoneWhere dogwood and other scrubby bushes have grownContinue around the trail through the grassy countrysideWhere American kestrels and red-tail hawks preside

Soon you’ll come to the red trail and a hill to beholdHead up the hill with its sides quite steep and boldAt the top you may want to stop and take a breatherAs you look back upon one of the sites finest features

Brush and shrubs cleared for sledding on the snow all whiteA “Thanks” to the community and the Siegel’s for this siteYoung Samantha likes to run down this hill in a great rushEven when it’s a cold day in March with lots of slush

Also a nice place when it’s warm with sun shiningSmell the fresh cut hay as you stretch out recliningListen to the buzzing of the cicadas and cricketsAnd birds singing and chirping from the thickets

The “kill” in Kline Kill

comes from the Dutch language and means

riverbed or water channel.

Joe-Pye Weed

When crushed, skunk cabbage leaves

release an odor of rotten meat. This attracts pol-

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Back down the hill to where red and green meetLook here to the south and your quest is completeWhen digging and searching in the grass please be awareCreatures hide in that grass and there could be a lair

Hope you learned a lot about Siegel-Kline KillThere are many more sites to visit, we hope you will

Acknowledgements Writing the CLC quests was quite a bit of workWithout volunteers, the staff would have gone berserkWhen it first started, we didn’t much enjoy the rhymeThey seemed kind of silly and took a fair amount of time

Jenny wrote the first quest about Hand HollowWith lots of help, soon more were to followThey really are fun to write and make you thinkEverything has to come together and be in sync

Thanks to Meg Everett for starting the proceedingAnd Tom, Nate, and Heidi for reading and rereadingKnowledge of quests was provided by RosemarySuggestions and trail content by Marcia Cary

Michael Chameides created the passportAnd thanks to the CLC members who give their supportAlso to all the people we maybe forgot to mentionWe give appreciation with only the best intention

These are amazing and special placesProtected in perpetuity as wild open spacesThrough the quests we hope you have made a connectionAnd hold these areas in your heart with great affection

Join CLC as a Member!Support CLC and conserve Columbia County’s farmland, forests, wildlife habitat, and rural character. Strengthen the connections between people and the land by becoming a member. More information at clctrust.org/membership

Walks by Protected Land

Written by Sheldon EvansThe walk guide includes 20 walks on public roads passing by land permanently protected by conservation easements in Columbia County. The walks range from 3.8 to 7 miles. The guide includes a description of each walk, detailed directions with mile markers, and a topographic map.Large tracts of conserved land are important for wildlife habitat and biodiversity. These walks feature some of the areas most treasured protected lands, several of which are over 1,000 acres. The walks offer great views of diverse landscapes and a chance to peacefully connect with the natural world.

Columbia County OutdoorsWritten by Sheldon Evans Columbia County Outdoors is the guide to outdoor activities in Columbia County. The 120 page book includes sections on boating, cycling, fishing, winter sports, and hiking. It details 42 locations, including address, parking, rules, as well as highlights of the property. Most of the locations include detailed trail maps. For each activity, guest authors give an overview of opportunities and resources throughout the County.

Both books are available at the CLC store at 49 Main Street in Chatham, NY as well as local bookstores. All proceeds support CLC’s conservation work.

WALKSby Protected Land

in Columbia County

25th Anniversary EditionSheldon Evans

Produced by the Columbia Land Conservancy